Monsoon sales up 11% at Christmas

Monsoon says it has had a good Christmas, with sales up 11%, but is forecasting tougher trading conditions to come on the high street.

The group, which owns 277 Monsoon and Accessorize shops in the UK and Ireland, says like-for-like sales for the four weeks to December 21 rose 2% on the same period the previous year.

In the two weeks to January 4, sales rose 11%.

Chairman Peter Simon said: "It was quite a good overall figure. We have been doing well in evening wear, casual wear and children's wear as well as Accessorize."

He says the group has maintained its margins during the period.